Hindsight is 20-20

[nick danger]

Of course I planned my out-west ski trip last summer (to Sun Valley). Now I'm leaving huge snow cover in the NE to a bit of a drought. The good news is that Sun Valley is not experiencing Tahoe or Washington type drought. The bad news is that they are hurting for snow in spots and the temps are unseasonably too warm for snowmaking. But the terrain is far superior to anything I've skied in the NE. The groomers are open, steep and fast. Front side skis are getting more than their share of use; mid fats are in the closet waiting for a dump. I'll be here for a while so anything can happen. Historically February is the best month

 

[ironhippy]

something similar happened to me last year and it had me leaving my town in a foot and a half snowstorm to drive to Quebec who missed the storm, not quite as bad though and we got snow in quebec a few days later.

 

[bdfreetuna]

Hopefully you get nice spring skiing conditions.

What makes you think Sun Valley terrain beats anything out East though? I haven't been there, just wondering. It sure does look nice but I don't see how it could beat Jay Peak for amount of woods, variety of terrain, etc

 

[ss20]

Hopefully you get nice spring skiing conditions.

What makes you think Sun Valley terrain beats anything out East though? I haven't been there, just wondering. It sure does look nice but I don't see how it could beat Jay Peak for amount of woods, variety of terrain, etc

Two words... vertical drop

 

[AdironRider]

Hopefully you get nice spring skiing conditions.

What makes you think Sun Valley terrain beats anything out East though? I haven't been there, just wondering. It sure does look nice but I don't see how it could beat Jay Peak for amount of woods, variety of terrain, etc

Didnt you admit in another thread you have never skied out West. Its night and day difference wise.

Trust me, Sun Valley (which to the OP has never really gotten great snowfall, I think the average is only about 250" annually on a pure quantity metric) on an average day is Jay Peak at its best. The terrain is steeper, the snow quality overall is more consistent, and they arguably have some of the best grooming in the world if thats your thing.

You can also do 6, 3k vert laps in an hour there, which is something that would probably take you all morning at Jay.

 

[bdfreetuna]

Two words... vertical drop

I guess if you can ski 3400 vert without taking a breather

 

[goldsbar]

Jay Peak = 385 acres; 2150 vert

Sun Valley = 2,054 acres; 3,400 vert

Not to mention elevation which means even the limited snow will have a better chance of being good snow.

 

[HowieT2]

I love sun valley. Been out there a few times. Great place. But they don't generally get great snow. I got lucky the first time I went out and arrived during a blizzard.

 

[nick danger]

I guess if you can ski 3400 vert without taking a breather

You would have to be one highly fit and skilled skier to do this at Sun Valley, even on a so called green groomer. (The greens there are blue even black at many other areas). The attraction of this area is sustained pitch, without flat spots or runouts, to rest legs while moving. There are no super steep chutes or cornices. It ain't Jackson Hole. But many a skilled chute skier has been humbled trying to finish virtually any run on the hill top to bottom with no breather. Even a green groomer especially if you try to rail every turn. Skid turns must be added for survival. Bump runs, fuggedaboudit. Ya gotta be a local or a pro.